The announcement by Brown on Wednesday came amid a nationwide debate sparked by sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby.

Beginning next year, the new law will end the statute of limitations in certain rape and child molestation cases. It will also end the time limit on older cases in which the statute of limitations has not yet expired.

It will not, however, help women who made allegations against Cosby dating back more than 10 years.

Cosby has repeatedly denied the sex abuse allegations made by dozens of women nationwide.

Civil rights groups and public defenders say the California bill could lead to false convictions as memories fade among victims and witnesses.